With college just around the corner for many seniors, juniors at the threshold of the college application process, sophomores choosing whether or not to join IB, and freshmen looking forward to high school and beyond, the college admissions process is one that is most relevant to many Xaverians, for the college choices made today, will have a tremendous impact on the happenings of tomorrow. Stallion features GOING ABROAD, a series of articles on the college admissions process, aimed to help students understand key topics regarding this taxing, yet hopefully, rewarding process.

This Week: Does taking IB improve your chances in colleges abroad?

In taking IB in Xavier, one of the greatest benefits students look at is the fact that IB students supposedly have an easier chance of getting in to schools abroad. Sure, but by how much? Is it worth all the effort? What else beholds IBDP students? Is it really all worth it?

In 2011, IB conducted surveys in 7 countries including the UK, India, France and the United States, among others, regarding college admissions to the United States, as well as other countries, and the results of the surveys are revealing:

The average acceptance rate of DP students into university/college is 22 percentage points higher than the average acceptance rate of the total population.

The acceptance rate of IB students into Ivy League institutions (Princeton, Yale, Brown, Harvard, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, University of Pennsylvania) is between 3 and 13 percentage points highercompared to the total population acceptance rate.

The average SAT score of Diploma Programme candidates who responded to the survey is 1953, and the average for Certificate candidates is 1794. The national average SAT score is 1500.

97% of respondents feel very well or well prepared for future studies.

Approximately 70% of all respondents would either actively encourage or encourage others to undertake the IB Diploma Programme.

65% of DP students plan to study abroad during university years, and 51% intend to pursue a career in another country.

The numbers show very well already the benefits of taking IB, but to take that one step further, below is a list of schools with their corresponding average acceptance rates, and acceptance rates of IB students in that same school.

College Acceptance Rates in Top 20 Most Preferred Universities and Colleges

In line with that, IB students have very high rates of getting into attending the schools of their top choice.

Attending Top College of Their Choice

Also, IB students were not only able to use the IB Diploma for admissions, but as well as scholarships, among others.

The Use of the IB Diploma

Overall, the IBDP students have higher chances of getting in to the colleges abroad, and not just any college, a majority got into the top college of their choice. Also, the IB students were able to use their IB credentials for a myriad of other things, including scholarships, among others.

On the SATs

IB students also had an higher average on the SAT and ACT scores by more than 400 points in the SAT and 8 points in the ACT.

SAT and ACT

Other Factors

Surely, other than the IB and SAT scores, there are other factors that will determine one’s acceptance or deferral in college that may include, ethnicity, financial capabilities, as well as other factors, which we should not discount. These other important factors will be discussed in future GOING ABROAD series

In Summary

Doing IB generally improves your chances at getting into the university of your choice by a significant amount. It also improves standardized testing scores, apart from other benefits by virtue of being an IB Student.

About the IB

The IB Diploma Programme (DP) is an academically challenging and balanced programme of education with final examinations that prepares students, aged 16 to 19, for success at university and life beyond. It has been designed to address the intellectual, social, emotional and physical well-being of students. The programme, has gained recognition and respect from the world’s leading universities. You may learn more about the IB Diploma Program from http://www.ibo.org/diploma/.

Sources and Disclaimer

The values cited were from US statistics due to unavailability of Philippine statistics. You may access a copy of the report from http://www.ibo.org/recognition/dpdestinationssurvey/documents/GlobalDPDestinationSurveyUS.pdf and http://www.ndpma.org/drupal/node/2318.

Hello Random! A good number went abroad, and a good number also stayed due to good opportunities here in the Philippines (they had an extremely high passing rate in UP, Ateneo and La Salle, almost all got in all schools!) As of now, Stallion does not have any data yet, but this is something great we can actually feature on our next GOING ABROAD series!